Online Interactive Practice System
An online, interactive practice system is provided, which allows users to practice skills and to learn about desired subjects using interactive, multimedia practice modules (tools) relating to desired subjects. The system includes a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network, a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system each including a lesson relating to a healthcare-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson, and a common directory structure for aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules. The system transmits a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices, for execution thereby to generate a virtual practice environment where the user can view a lesson and virtually practice a skill relating to the lesson.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electronic learning. More specifically, the present invention relates to an online, interactive practice system that allows students, practitioners, and other individuals to practice skills and to learn about desired subjects using interactive, multimedia practice modules (tools) relating to desired subjects
2. Related Art
Textbooks have long been a source of information for students, and a widely-used teaching tool for instructors. With the advent of digital technology, instructors are increasingly relying on computer-based instruction tools. One type of digital instruction tool is an electronic learning or “e-learning” system. E-learning systems exist in various forms, e.g., networked and/or standalone computer systems, computer-based collaborative learning systems, distance learning systems, technology-enhanced learning, etc.
Web-based e-learning systems are known, and various standards have been promulgated in connection with such systems. For example, the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a known collection of standards and specifications relating to web-based e-learning. According to the SCORM standards, electronic lessons are distributed to local computing devices from one or more learning management system (LMS) servers in the form of Sharable Content Object (SCO) files. Data and content are exchanged between the LMS server(s) and the local devices at runtime, along with “manifest” information that instructs the local devices how to handle data and content transmitted from the LMS server(s).
In professions that require repetitive practice of skills, such as healthcare, medicine, automotive, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) disciplines, there is increasing interest in e-learning systems. However, existing e-learning systems in these fields suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, existing e-learning systems often do not provide the user with a rich assortment of multimedia content in various forms, such as audio, video, manipulable models, etc. Moreover, existing e-learning systems are not suitable for allowing students to repeatedly practice skills learned during a lesson, since they do not provide an adequate virtual practice environment in which such skills can be exercised. Still further, existing e-learning systems do not adequately allow students to repetitively practice, assess, and remediate deficiencies, independently in a “self-help,” online environment. Accordingly, there is a need to address these and other shortcomings of existing web-based e-learning systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an online, interactive practice system. The system provides an online, virtual practice environment for allowing students, practitioners, and other individuals to practice skills and to learn about desired subjects using interactive, multimedia practice modules (tools) relating to desired subjects. The system includes a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network; a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system, each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules including a lesson relating to a healthcare-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson; and a common directory structure for aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules and allowing a user to select one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules, the common directory structure accessible using one or more of the plurality of remote user devices. In response to selection of one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules from the common directory structure, the computer systems transmits a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices, and the at least one of the plurality of remote user devices executes the transmitted software module to generate a virtual practice environment at the remote user device where the user can view a healthcare-related lesson and virtually practice a healthcare-related skill relating to the healthcare-related lesson.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an online, interactive practice system that includes a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network; a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system, each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules including a lesson relating to a professional or vocation-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson; and a common directory structure for aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules and allowing a user to select one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules, the common directory structure accessible using one or more of the plurality of remote user devices In response to selection of one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules from the common directory structure, the computer systems transmits a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices, and the at least one of the plurality of remote user devices executes the transmitted software module to generate a virtual practice environment at the remote user device where the user can view a professional or vocation-related lesson and virtually practice a skill relating to the profession or vocation-related lesson.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for online, interactive practice. The method includes the steps of providing a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network; storing a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system, each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules including a lesson relating to a healthcare-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson; aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules using a common directory structure; allowing a user to select one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules by accessing the directory structure using one or more of the plurality of remote user devices; transmitting a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices from the computer system; executing the transmitted software module to generate a virtual practice environment at the remote user device; presenting a healthcare-related lesson to the user using the virtual practice environment; and allowing a user to virtually practice a healthcare-related skill relating to the healthcare-related lesson, using the virtual practice environment.
In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for online, interactive practice. The method includes the steps of providing a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network; storing a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system, each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules including a lesson relating to a professional or vocation-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson; aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules using a common directory structure; allowing a user to select one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules by accessing the directory structure using one or more of the plurality of remote user devices; transmitting a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices from the computer system; executing the transmitted software module to generate a virtual practice environment at the remote user device; presenting a healthcare-related lesson to the user using the virtual practice environment; and allowing a user to virtually practice a professional or vocation-related skill relating to the lesson, using the virtual practice environment.
The foregoing features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention relates to an online interactive practice system, as discussed in detail below in connection with
The system 10 includes an online practice system 12 that is accessible over a network (e.g., the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a cellular data network, etc.) by students, instructors, and/or administrators using remote computing devices, such as a stand-alone computer system (personal computer) 14 and/or one or more mobile computing devices 16 (including, but not limited to, cellular telephones, smart phones (e.g., DROID and/or APPLE IPHONE smart phones, etc.), tablet computers (e.g., APPLE IPAD computers, etc.), laptop computers, etc.). The practice system 12 aggregates practice modules/tools of various multimedia formats, and delivers such modules to the remote computer system 14 and/or mobile computing devices 16. The practice modules/tools could be delivered by the system 12 could comply with one or more electronic learning standards such as Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) or other applicable standards. The practice system 12 could be hosted by suitable computer hardware such as one or more computer servers (e.g., single-processor or multiple-processor servers having INTEL or other suitable microprocessors) running a suitable operating system (e.g., WINDOWS SERVER, UNIX, Linux, MacOS, etc.). The functionality provided by the practice system 12 could be coded in any suitable high- or low-level computer programming languages, including, but not limited to, hypertext markup language (HTML), extensible markup language (XML), Java, C, C++, C#, ADOBE FLASH, Moodle, scripting languages, etc. Although the Moodle system is listed as an example of a learning management system (LMS) that could be used to support the present invention, any other type of LMS could be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, it is noted that associated communications equipment for providing network (e.g., Internet) connectivity to the practice system 12 could be provided, including routers, firewalls, etc.
The system 10 also includes an online product catalog, order entry, and order processing system 18 in communication with the practice system 12. The system 18 provides information to uses about practice modules that area available for purchase, handles orders relating to such modules, and processes payments relating to such orders. The system 18 is thus an “e-commerce” platform that communicates with the practice system 12 and handles online payments for desired practice modules that are available from the practice system 12. The system 18 could be hosted by the same type of computer hardware listed above in connection with the practice system 12, as well as associated operating system software, and the functionality provided by the system 18 could be coded using any of the programming languages listed above in connection with the practice system 12. Moreover, it is noted that the systems 12 and 18 need not be separate computer systems, but rather, a single computer system could be provided which performs the functions of both systems 12 and 18.
The practice system 12 includes a number of software modules and processes which operate together to provide the functionality disclosed herein. For example, as shown in block 20, an existing user login process 20 is provided, and handles login/authentication of existing users, including, but not limited to, students, instructors, institutions, and administrators. Authentication and tracking of user accounts, as well as the login process, is handled by an access management subsystem 22. The access management subsystem 22 also communicates with the system 18 to obtain information relating to product catalogs, as well as to coordinate billing and payment issues relating to user accounts and various practice modules/tools purchased by the user, as illustrated by setup/login block 24. Optionally, the access management subsystem 22 could communicate with a subscription renewal subsystem 26 which handles existing subscriptions by users to practice modules provided by the system 12, as well as requests for new subscriptions.
As shown by blocks 28 and 30, the access management subsystem can provide different functionality depending on whether the user is a student (block 28) or an instructor, administrator, or institution (block 30). If the user is an instructor, administrator, or institution, a “dashboard” 32 is generated and displayed by the system 12 to the user, which allows the user to perform various administrative functions such as configure existing student accounts, configure/modify existing practice modules/lessons, upload new practice modules/lessons, and perform other functions. If the user is a student (block 28), access is provided to a practice tool storage subsystem 34 which controls access to a plurality of practice tools/modules 40. The practice tools/modules could relate to various educational and/or professional subjects, including, but not limited to, medicine, law, vocational training, technical subjects, technical training, etc. For example, as shown in
The system 12 also provides a “common” practice tool directory structure 42 which allows students to quickly and conveniently access and utilize desired practice modules/lessons. Importantly, the directory structure 42 (discussed in greater detail below in connection with
It is noted that the system 12 could also include an optional, advanced analytics subsystem 36, which provides useful statistical information to instructors, administrators, etc. The subsystem 36 could store/obtain such information from databases 38. Analytics/statistics that could be provided include, but are not limited to, course attendance, types practice modules/tools most frequently accessed by students, etc. Such functionality allows instructors/administrators to readily adapt or modify course subject matter in response to student actions monitored by the subsystem 36, thus providing a powerful feedback mechanism to instructors and administrators.
The system 18 also includes a plurality of a number of software modules and processes which operate together to provide the functionality disclosed herein. For example, as shown by block 50, if the user is a new user, access is provided to an order entry/e-commerce subsystem 52 that allows the user to create an account with the system 10 and to purchase one or more desired practice modules/tools offered by the system 18. Selection of desired practice modules/tools could be by way of a virtual shopping cart 54, or by way of specific (“manual”) selections of desired practice modules/tools, illustrated by block 56. Payment for selected practice modules/tools could be handled in many ways. For example, if immediate payment is desired (e.g., by way of a credit card), such payment could be handled by an online payment processing subsystem 58. Alternatively, an invoice or purchase order could be issued by an offline payment processing subsystem 60, which is capable of processing payment by other methods, such as by check, money order, etc. Manual and/or automatic payment handling processes 62 and 64 coordinate processing with the subsystems 58, 60, and an order management and billing system 66 is provided for coordinating all billing and payment activities. Payments received by the system 18 could be transmitted to a bank 68, and optionally, the system 18 could communicate with an external accounting system 70 that provides desired accounting functions.
In step 102, the student is allowed to access the directory structure 42 and to select a desired practice tool/module from the directory structure 42. In step 104, the selected practice tool/module is loaded, and the student is allowed to use the module. As will be discussed in greater detail below in connection with
In step 108, a determination is made as to whether the student desires to continue practicing/learning using the system. If so, control returns to step 102 so that the student can select a new practice tool/module. Otherwise, step 110 occurs, wherein the student logs out of the system.
Referring to
In step 132, a determination is made as to whether the user desires to remove an existing practice tool/module from the system. If so, steps 134 and 136 occur, wherein in step 134, the user identifies a practice tool/module to be removed, and in step 136, the practice tool database 106 of
In step 138, a determination is made as to whether the user desires to modify an existing practice tool. If so, steps 140-142 occur. In step 140, the user can alter one or more parameters/attributes (such as those listed above in connection with step 128) of one or more practice tools. Then, in step 142, the practice tool database 106 of
The various features of the practice tools/modules offered by the system of the present invention will now be discussed in detail in connection with
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As can be appreciated, the subject matter of the course and associated practice tools/modules can be varied as desired. An example of another course and associated practice tools/modules offered by the present invention will now be discussed in connection with
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As can be appreciated by the foregoing discussion in connection with
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Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit or scope thereof. What is desired to be protected is set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. An online, interactive practice system comprising:
- a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network;
- a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system, each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules including a lesson relating to a healthcare-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson; and
- a common directory structure for aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules and allowing a user to select one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules, the common directory structure accessible using one or more of the plurality of remote user devices,
- wherein, in response to selection of one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules from the common directory structure, the computer systems transmits a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices, and the at least one of the plurality of remote user devices executes the transmitted software module to generate a virtual practice environment at the remote user device where the user can view a healthcare-related lesson and virtually practice a healthcare-related skill relating to the healthcare-related lesson.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual practice environment includes a three-dimensional model of a human body or an organ.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional model is rotatable by the user.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the virtual practice environment includes a narration relating to the healthcare topic, the narration corresponding to one or more features in the model of the human body or the organ.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the virtual practice environment highlights a specific structure in the model of the human body or the organ and presents a question to the user relating to the highlighted structure.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the virtual practice environment includes a plurality of controls for controlling one or more display layers of the model.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual practice environment plays an audio clip containing a narration relating to the lesson.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual practice environment plays a video clip relating to the lesson.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual practice environment generates a test or a quiz relating to the lesson.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second computer system in communication with the first computer system, the second computer system processing orders for one or more of the plurality of practice modules and handling payment for the orders.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a dashboard generated by the computer system for allowing an instructor or an administrator to manage one or more user accounts.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of practice modules comprise at least one of an anatomy practice module, a physiology practice module, a patient assessment practice module, a clinical manifestation practice module, a diagnostic testing module, a diagnosis module, an intervention module, an outcomes module, a case management module, or a clinical decision making module.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of practice modules further comprises a sub-module including at least one of a learning outcomes sub-module, an animation sub-module, an interactive activity, a quiz, a test, or a certification or licensing examination.
14. An online, interactive practice system comprising:
- a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network;
- a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system, each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules including a lesson relating to a professional or vocation-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson; and
- a common directory structure for aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules and allowing a user to select one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules, the common directory structure accessible using one or more of the plurality of remote user devices,
- wherein, in response to selection of one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules from the common directory structure, the computer systems transmits a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices, and the at least one of the plurality of remote user devices executes the transmitted software module to generate a virtual practice environment at the remote user device where the user can view a professional or vocation-related lesson and virtually practice a skill relating to the profession or vocation-related lesson.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the virtual practice environment includes a narration relating to the lesson.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the virtual practice environment plays an audio clip containing a narration relating to the lesson.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein the virtual practice environment plays a video clip relating to the lesson.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the virtual practice environment generates a test or a quiz relating to the lesson.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the virtual practice environment generates a three-dimensional model relating to the lesson.
20. A method for online, interactive practice, comprising the steps of:
- providing a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network;
- storing a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system, each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules including a lesson relating to a healthcare-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson;
- aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules using a common directory structure;
- allowing a user to select one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules by accessing the directory structure using one or more of the plurality of remote user devices;
- transmitting a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices from the computer system;
- executing the transmitted software module to generate a virtual practice environment at the remote user device;
- presenting a healthcare-related lesson to the user using the virtual practice environment; and
- allowing a user to virtually practice a healthcare-related skill relating to the healthcare-related lesson, using the virtual practice environment.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising displaying in the virtual practice environment a three-dimensional model of a human body or an organ.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising allowing a user to rotate the three-dimensional model.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising generating a narration relating to the healthcare topic, the narration corresponding to one or more features in the model of the human body or the organ.
24. The method of claim 20, further comprising highlighting a specific structure in the model of the human body or the organ and presenting a question to the user relating to the highlighted structure.
25. The method of claim 20, further comprising allowing a user to control one or more display layers of the model.
26. The method of claim 20, further comprising playing an audio clip in the virtual practice environment containing a narration relating to the lesson.
27. The method of claim 20, further comprising playing a video clip in the virtual practice environment relating to the lesson.
28. The method of claim 20, further comprising generating a test or a quiz in the virtual practice environment relating to the lesson.
29. A method for online, interactive practice, comprising the steps of:
- providing a computer system in communication with a plurality of remote user devices via a network;
- storing a plurality of multimedia practice modules stored in a database of the computer system, each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules including a lesson relating to a professional or vocation-related topic and allowing a user to practice a skill relating to the lesson;
- aggregating each of the plurality of multimedia practice modules using a common directory structure;
- allowing a user to select one of the plurality of multimedia practice modules by accessing the directory structure using one or more of the plurality of remote user devices;
- transmitting a software module corresponding to a selected multimedia practice module to at least one of the plurality of remote user devices from the computer system;
- executing the transmitted software module to generate a virtual practice environment at the remote user device;
- presenting a healthcare-related lesson to the user using the virtual practice environment; and
- allowing a user to virtually practice a professional or vocation-related skill relating to the lesson, using the virtual practice environment.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising generating a narration relating to the professional or vocation-related topic.
31. The method of claim 29, further comprising playing an audio clip in the virtual practice environment containing a narration relating to the lesson.
32. The method of claim 29, further comprising playing a video clip in the virtual practice environment relating to the lesson.
33. The method of claim 29, further comprising generating a test or a quiz in the virtual practice environment relating to the lesson.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 9, 2012
Publication Date: Sep 12, 2013
Applicant: PrepSim, LLC (Ottawa Lake, MI)
Inventors: Richard WASSERMAN (Curtice, OH), Richard LONGENECKER (Maplewood, NJ), Deborah MATTIN (Temperance, MI), Jamie CAROTHERS (Ida, MI), Lisa PROCYK (Bowling Green, OH), Sherry ANDREWS (Holland, OH)
Application Number: 13/416,564
International Classification: G09B 23/28 (20060101);